JAMAICA'S FOOTBALL fraternity broke new ground on the weekend even as it celebrated the sixth anniversary of qualification for the World Cup Finals in France on November 16, 1997.
Literally breaking ground at a site in Portmore for a National Football Academy and Training Centre, the Jamaica Football Federation was hosting the President of FIFA, Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter along with Austin 'Jack' Warner of Trinidad the CONCACAF president and a FIFA vice president as well.
It was therefore a gala weekend which saw the Reggae Boyz triumph in a 'friendly' over El Salvador and the Under-23 team defeat their counterparts from Guatemala in Olympic qualifying action at the National Stadium.
An awards ceremony on Sunday also paid tributes to past officials, referees, players and coaches.
In his keynote address, the FIFA president at the ground-breaking ceremony in Portmore put the sport in a framework of philosophy and national objectives. Football, he said, can be used as 'the school of life' and not merely the kicking of a ball.
The first phase of the project is estimated to cost some US$600,000, most of it from FIFA. This is a major financial boost not only to the new municipality of Portmore but by extension to the nation itself. This is an indication of the importance of the sporting sector making an economic impact once international standards have been attained.
There will be facilities for basketball courts, a cricket pitch and an urban park which will form a sports complex for Portmore.
The weekend of football celebration is a precursor to the politics of the JFF as the president Captain Horace Burrell faces a challenge to his leadership from Crenston Boxhill, a vice president.
Football is widely acknowledged as the most popular spectator sport in the world. The emergence of the Reggae Boyz on the world scene touched a vein of national spirit as 'The Road to France' saw bumper crowds at 'the office' as the National Stadium came to be known.
Since then, a steady stream of football professionals have become part of the Jamaica diaspora in the U.S. and the continent. The academy must strive to maintain the standards that will keep the name of Jamaica alive and kicking at the highest level of international sport.
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